Naomi Osaka will return to New Zealand after eight years to play at the 2025 ASB Classic in Auckland, joining a field that will likely feature Coco Gauff as well.
One of the most popular tennis events at the start of the year is the ASB Classic in Auckland, which has a men's and women's event with some really noticeable players playing there. In the past few years, it has become the favorite event for Gauff, who has won the two previous editions and will likely return once more.
It's also just a nice event overall, featuring great facilities and a chance to go to New Zealand as it's the only tennis event in the country. The rest of the Australian Open preparation events take place in Australia, so this gives players a chance to explore the country as well.
Osaka hasn't been to Auckland in a very long time, but the 2025 edition won't be her first one. The last time she played in Auckland was in 2017, so the 2025 edition will mark eight years since then.
She was 19 back then and will now return as a 27-year-old who has become a World No. 1 player and won four majors since then. Now, she hopes to start her 2025 season on the right track at the WTA 250 event in Auckland.
Early announcements like this are not uncommon for tournaments because the organizers try to announce the biggest stars early, and the announcement also featured some words from Osaka, who admitted she was excited about coming back to Auckland.
"I am looking forward to just embracing the nature of Auckland and of course, playing in a tournament that I have not played in for a long time. I am excited to return to Auckland for the ASB Classic 2025."
"When I was there last time, I was fortunate to go on a helicopter tour and explore the beaches which I thought were really beautiful. My other memory is that Auckland has the best salmon."
Once she returns to the event next year, Osaka will have a chance to experience all of that again, and maybe that can even inspire her to start the season with a trophy.
When she played in 2017, her journey at the tournament was quite bizarre. She first beat Annika Beck 6-2, 6-4, before Venus Williams withdrew from their second-round match. However, it was Osaka who was forced to retire from the quarter-final match, being down 0-3 to Ana Konjuh.
Eight years later, tournament director Nicolas Lamperin is overjoyed to have Osaka back at the event. He's been very successful in attracting some of the most successful tennis players to Auckland in recent years.
"Naomi is one of the premier players in tennis, with an exciting and hard-hitting game. It is always challenging to return to this sport after extensive time away, but Naomi has shown some extremely promising form. She has an immensely powerful game and plays an exciting brand of tennis."
"Many believe Naomi will re-emerge at the top of the sport, and that journey for the 2025 season will start here in Auckland."